Funding Opportunity for Projects that Improve Hearing Device Wear Time in Infants and Young Children

The Oberkotter Foundation is requesting proposals for projects that promote the use of hearing devices during all waking hours in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

PHILADELPHIA, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Oberkotter Foundation announced a new funding opportunity seeking proposals for projects that promote the use of hearing devices during all waking hours in infants and young children. With this request for proposals, the Foundation's goal is to invest in solutions to assist families in overcoming the challenges and barriers that can prevent full-time hearing device use, so children who are deaf or hard of hearing can achieve age-appropriate spoken language and literacy milestones.

Evidence shows that consistent access to language-rich listening environments is critical for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to develop listening, talking, and literacy skills. This is especially true in infants and young children, as their brain connections are forming rapidly. Research has indicated that among pediatric hearing aid and cochlear implant users, greater daily device use is associated with stronger language development. However, despite its essential impact on listening and spoken language outcomes, factors ranging from child to system-level barriers can create challenges to achieving full-time device use during this fundamental period.

"There have been great advancements made to help children who are deaf or hard of hearing be identified early and access the intervention and technology they need to learn to listen and talk," said Dr. Teresa H. Caraway, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Chief Executive Officer of the Oberkotter Foundation. "But there are still many challenges facing families when it comes to helping their little ones use that technology during all waking hours. We want to find ways to support families by helping them build sustainable routines that increase wear time."

With this funding opportunity, the Foundation intends to support projects that help families establish and maintain hearing device use throughout all waking hours, to support children's long-term listening and spoken language development. Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations that are located and operating within the United States, with experience in early childhood hearing loss and social drivers of health access, are invited to apply.  Applications will be accepted from April 1 to May 29, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified in September 2026. For more information about this Request for Proposals, visit www.oberkotterfoundation.org/grants.

"Research demonstrates the crucial connection between hearing device use all waking hours and the development of stronger listening and spoken language outcomes in children who are deaf or hard of hearing," explains Andrea Dunn, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, Vice President of Programs of the Oberkotter Foundation. "With this funding opportunity, we are supporting innovative approaches to increase hearing device use, which will help more children who are deaf or hard of hearing reach age-appropriate listening, speaking, and literacy skills."

The Oberkotter Foundation is committed to providing families, healthcare professionals, and all those who care for children who are deaf or hard of hearing with the resources and support they need. This funding opportunity reflects the Foundation's goal to advance innovative solutions to improve Listening and Spoken Language outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

About the Oberkotter Foundation

The Oberkotter Foundation supports families in providing their children who are deaf or hard of hearing with opportunities to reach their full potential through Listening and Spoken Language (LSL). 

The Foundation is committed to advancing science and innovation that will improve access to quality audiological and LSL services for children with hearing loss so that they develop age-appropriate listening, talking, and literacy skills. Since 1985, the Foundation has provided over $500 million in funding to improve listening, spoken language, and literacy outcomes for children with hearing loss and their families.

For more information about the Oberkotter Foundation, visit www.oberkotterfoundation.org.

SOURCE Oberkotter Foundation